(Consultation procedure)

The European Parliament,

–   having regard to the proposal for a Council decision (COM(2007)0576),

–   having regard to the draft Council decision (16681/2007),

–   having regard to Articles 170(2) and 300(2), first subparagraph of the EC Treaty,

–   having regard to Article 300(3), first subparagraph, of the EC Treaty, pursuant to which the Council consulted Parliament (C6-0073/2008),

–   having regard to Rule 51 and Rule 83(7) of its Rules of Procedure,

–   having regard to the report of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (A6-0254/2008),

1.  Approves the draft Council decision as amended and approves the conclusion of the agreement;

2.  Instructs its President to forward its position to the Council and Commission, and the governments and parliaments of the Member States and the Government of the Republic of India.

Text proposed by the Council   Amendment Amendment 1 Draft decision Recital 3 a (new) (3a)  The Agreement is key to seeking to achieve the aims of the EU-India strategic partnership of 2004 and pursuing broader political goals. Amendment 2 Draft decision Recital 3 b (new) (3b)  The EC-India S & T Steering Committee is responsible for the efficient coordination and facilitation of cooperation activities under the Agreement. It is desirable that the committee convene annually to review the work programme and that its rules of procedure be based on the principles of transparency and accountability. Amendment 3 Draft decision Recital 3 c (new) (3c)  Priority objectives of the joint research activities to be carried out under the Agreement should be to produce comparable information and to improve the body of data. Amendment 4 Draft decision Recital 3 d (new) (3d)  In implementing the Agreement, efforts should be made by both parties to increase the participation of the Community and India in each other's research programmes, to boost the number of exchanges of researchers between the Community and India, and to improve the mobility of researchers generally. Amendment 5 Draft decision Recital 3 e (new) (3e)  In implementing the Agreement, priority should also be given to energy and environment policies and to the necessary development of innovative energy technologies. Joint efforts and initiatives, with a view, for example, to developing economical carbon capture and storage and renewable technologies, which are in the interest of both partners, should be undertaken. Amendment 6 Draft decision Recital 3 f (new) (3f)  In the implementation of the Agreement, particular emphasis should be placed on the principle of reciprocity. Amendment 7 Draft decision Recital 3 g (new) (3g)  It is desirable that a mid-term evaluation of the implementation of the Agreement be carried out.